Cascio Calls on OConnor

Cinematographer Paolo Cascio chose to equip his Sony EX3 with OConnor's (a Vitec Group brand) O-Grips and CFF-1 Follow Focus for his work on Filmworks LA’s press conference, which kicked off a multi-pronged campaign surrounding Los Angeles production and support capabilities.

Once Cascio’s camera teams finished capturing the kick off speeches from the offices of LA City Council President Eric Garcetti, LA County Supervisor Don Knabe and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Cascio took his camera into the crowd and through the various industry vendors that came out to lend their support.

“To capture people’s reactions and showcase the different vendor products on hand, I needed a camera package that was lightweight, could help me move fast, and could get everything we needed in a short period of time,” says Cascio. “The addition of the OConnor O-Grips and CFF-1 to the small Sony EX-3 camera was a perfect match. “The O-Grips allowed me to get two different positions for the camera on my shoulder,” he explains. “I could literally go from horizontal to vertical while I was on the move."

"When we toured Quixote’s new green motor home, for example, I could move around the outside, then walk inside, do an iris pull and zoom in and out, even change focus immediately. I just went from vertical hand grip to horizontal without stopping."

“What’s really great about these OConnor tools is that they are so user-friendly. They are extremely versatile for a variety of uses, simple to set up and and ergonomic. Comfort is of prime importance when you have a camera on your shoulder for a long time. If we are uncomfortable and get fatigued the shot doesn’t work and it is unusable. You can’t have equipment that beats you up. That never happens with OConnnor.”

OConnor’s O-Grips Handgrip system is made up of single-handle ball joints with high load capacity, with each module fully adjustable and stackable for custom applications. The user can perform tool-free adjustments and locking of the O-Grips with one hand while operating most camera systems on their shoulder.

OConnor’s CFF-1 also features extreme modularity and unlimited mounting options as well as a horizontal sliding adjustment. The multifunctional, modular design eliminates the hassle of having to juggle separate bridge plates. The system integrates seamlessly with existing follow focus accessories and features a low-profile design.

For more information go to www.ocon.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow the company on Twitter; or contact OConnor, 2701 N. Ontario St, Burbank, CA 91504, Phone: 818-847-8666, Fax: 818-847-1205.